Michelle Carter Receives Sentence After Boyfriend Dies by Suicide

Update: On Feb. 6, the Massachusetts Supreme Court upheld the conviction against Michelle Carter and 2.5 year prison sentence for her role in Conrad Roy III’s death after it denied an appeal from her lawyers. According to NBC News, her prison sentence was on hold while the case was considered by the higher court, and it’s unclear when she may need to begin her prison time in light of this new ruling. Carter’s legal team said they are considering additional appeals. 

On Tuesday, Michelle Carter received a two-and-a-half-year sentence for her role in the suicide of her boyfriend Conrad Roy III, who died in 2014. Carter was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in June after text messages revealed she had urged Roy to kill himself and had done nothing to help her boyfriend, who had confided he was feeling suicidal.

Carter will serve 15 months of her sentence in prison with the remainder suspended, followed by a period of supervised probation.

“I haven’t found her age, maturity or mental illness had any impact on her actions,” the judge said when giving Carter her final sentence. “I am satisfied that she was mindful of the actions for which she now stands convicted.”

When a person’s death makes its way through the national news cycle, it can be tough for people who’ve experienced suicidal thoughts, have attempted suicide or have lost someone to suicide to watch a story like this unfold.

In the light of today’s news, here are five things you should remember in the wake of the Michelle Carter verdict. 

If you or someone you know needs help, visit our suicide prevention resources page.

If you need support right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741. Head here for a list of crisis centers around the world.